Sous Chef

University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Nebraska; On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks a Sous Chef to provide operational and culinary leadership to its Kosher kitchen and campus dining operations. You will work within the dining center leadership team to elevate quality, nutrition, and sustainability while serving residential and campus communities.

Responsibilities include leading kitchen operations, developing menus, forecasting labor, and supporting campus events and themed meals.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in hospitality, culinary arts, or related field.
• Min 3 years of culinary and/or large scale kitchen experience; including recipe development, supervising a team, and special dietary accommodations.
• Experience recognizing and training food safety practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with foodservice software systems.
• ServSafe Management certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days).
• Experience providing team leadership and motivation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and campus events.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations with experience and passion for food service and high level of customer engagement.
• Serve as a key member within the dining center and culinary leadership team.
• Assist in the creation and execution of a culture within dining locations that prioritizes quality, innovation, nutrition, and sustainability while serving the residential and campus community.
• Make data driven decisions for menu planning and labor forecasting to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Support campus events, themed meals, and outreach programming.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Customer engagement

Menu planning

Labor forecasting

Food safety practices

Communication skills

Education

Associate’s degree in hospitality

Tools

Microsoft Office

CBORD/NetMenu

Job description

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Employment Website

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Position Information

Position Information

Working Title

Working Title Sous Chef

Department

Department Housing Dining Service-1131

Requisition Number

Requisition Number S_260584

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 07/29/2026

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date) 08/06/2026

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Description of Work

The Sous Chef provides operational and culinary leadership to UNL’s Kosher kitchen and multiple dining operations across campus.

The Sous Chef will:

• Help lead kitchen operations with experience and passion for food service and high level of customer engagement.
• Serve as a key member within the dining center and culinary leadership team.
• Assist in the creation and execution of developing a culture within dining locations that prioritizes quality, innovation, nutrition, and sustainability while serving the residential and campus community.
• Make data driven decisions for menu planning, labor forecasting to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Support campus events, themed meals, and outreach programming.

About Us

At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, we’re proud to be consistently recognized by Forbes as a top employer and recently earned the Lincoln Family Friendly Workplace certification. We are known for our welcoming, supportive environment, commitment to professional growth, and outstanding benefits. UNL isn’t just a workplace; it’s a place to build your career and make a meaningful impact in Nebraska.

When you join our team as a full-time, regular staff member, you’ll enjoy:

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, parental leave, and holidays
• Comprehensive insurance options, including medical, dental, vision, and life coverage
• Employee and dependent scholarship programs to pursue higher education
• Retirement plans with university match
• A workplace culture that values your time outside of work

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in hospitality, culinary arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
• Minimum of 3 years of culinary and/or large scale kitchen experience; including recipe development, supervising a team, and special dietary accommodations.
• Experience recognizing and training food safety practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with foodservice software systems.
• ServSafe Management certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days).
• Experience providing team leadership and motivation .
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and campus events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Chef de Cuisine ( CCC ) or similar culinary certification
• Proven culinary expertise, including global cuisines.
• Familiarity with CBORD /NetMenu.
• 3 years of supervisory experience within a college/university, hotel, or large-scale restaurant operation.
• Experience in catering, special events, and student/staff engagement.

Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required

Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required No

Physical Required

Physical Required Yes

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required. Subject to DOT approved pre-employment & random testing for alcohol and controlled substances.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required. Subject to DOT approved pre-employment & random testing for alcohol and controlled substances. No

Criminal History Background Check Required

Criminal History Background Check Required Yes

Job Category (old)

Job Category (old) Managerial/Professional

Job Type

Job Type Full-Time

Alternate Work Schedule (if other than 8-5)

Alternate Work Schedule (if other than 8-5) Some evenings and weekends based on needs.

Work Location (City, State)

Work Location (City, State) Lincoln, NE

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding?

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding? No

If Temporary, indicate end date

If Temporary, indicate end date

Planned Hire Date:

Planned Hire Date:

Appointment End Date

Appointment End Date

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).